Are you looking at used cars for sale by owner? I will give a few things to look for, keep I mind it is a used car and there will be a few flaws. When you are walking around the car notice the tell pipe, this will tell you a lot about the engines condition, if it is an oily black the engine is using oil, if it is more powdery black the fuel system is running rich. You are looking for one that is clean maybe a little moisture or chalky white this is a sign of an engine that is running properly. Most people never look at this they just go by the appearance and wind up with a pretty car setting in the drive way they can’t drive.
A few smaller things to look at, when considering used cars for sale by owner or a car lot are the battery cables corroded this could be a sign of a bad battery. When a battery is ran down and then quickly charged many times it will leak a little acid causing the cables to corrode. Doing a quick charge before you get there to look at the car is a good way to make it seem like everything is ok, so keep this in mind if the battery is corroded you may have to buy a battery before long, and it can also be a sign that the charging system is weak, and may have to have a new alternator. I have had batteries that were in great shape and still corroded the terminals but most times I was replacing the battery and or the alternator in a short period of time.
Here is one that has happened a lot, a car with a lot of miles but the carpet looks like it is new, there is a good chance it was in a flood and someone bought it, cleaned it up, put new carpet in and looking for a sucker to buy it. If you see this pay close attention to areas that appear to have rust or dirt that normally are not that way, like the vents is it normal dust or does it look like dirt and water has been in it? Under the hood does it look normal or unusual dirty areas; under the car metal rust quickly when it is in water is it a normal or excessive amount of rust? When a car has been in a flood they can be cleaned up and you may never have a problem with it, but most likely you will start having electrical problems. Things like the window motors stop working, alternator or starter goes out, fuse panel shorts out, and many other things are possible, the big one is the computer goes out.
Most people who have used cars for sale by owner are decent people and tell you all they now if you ask, but it is the few who don’t care how bad a broken car will impact you life you have to watch for. Just remember you are buying a car not a lawn ornament, the appearance should be 2nd priority, 1st you want something that will get you to where you want to go. It does not matter how good a car looks if it is not mechanically sound you have bought nothing more than a picture to put in your driveway.

Are you looking to buy a used or new car? If so this article may help you make a more informed decision before you buy something that will become your nightmare! Cars are like people to some extent, just as there are many personalities in people cars; also display what might be considered a personality. Some cars are hard to start when the weather goes to extremes, just as some people perform worst when it’s hot, cold, rainy, etc. Some cars seem to always have problems, I’m sure you probably know someone like that, the person who always has a problem, the drama king or queen!
If a used car is what you’re looking for, then check out used cars for sale by owner adds. Many times this will be the first or second person to own the car and can tell you much more about it than a dealership can. A dealer can do an inspection and tell you what is wrong if it is something they check, but they can’t tell you about the cars personality! Used cars for sale by owner many times are a much better deal as far as the cost as well since they don’t have the overhead of a business. You can usually find used cars for sale by owner in your local paper, thrifty news papers, in driveways, going down the street or many places on the internet. When you are talking to the owner pay attention to what and how they say things, if it appears there trying to hide something you may want to find another car or at least do very thorough inspections before you make a decision! Look for things like new paint, carpet, engine looks like it was just washed, other things that may catch your eye as being odd, it could be covering something up.
New cars are a lot different than used because they are new! No one knows what personality they will have or if it was put together properly. The biggest thing here is finding a salesperson that will be honest and take care of you even after they have your money! The last new car I bought we drove 200 miles to a dealership that would try to work with us on the vehicle we wanted color, etc. and get the price close to what we wanted to pay, our local dealer lied to us and acting like they didn’t want the business. For me if I catch the salesperson lying to me the deal is off, I will go somewhere else.
A used car can be bought cheaper than a new one, but it could cost more in the long run, if you do not check everything out to make sure it is a good car. A new car depreciates several thousand dollars as soon as you drive it of the lot but you have a car that should be trouble free for several years. I have had used cars that have also given me years of dependable service. You may want to consider the difference between taxes, registration, and insurance; a new car will cost more for all three. To me it makes sense to keep the cars I have because there paid for the registration and insurance is cheap and there dependable. Think about the increase in all these bills verses a little maintenance on your current car does it make sense to buy another car? If your car is dependable other than something that just went wrong, maybe you should consider having it fixed and keep driving it. I would suggest take what you would spend for a monthly car payment put it in the bank and save it until you have cash for another car, and then look for used cars for sale by owner and repeat the process.

Selling old car ideals, with the internet today there are many ways of selling old car. You have many paid and free options to choose from and of course there is still the old school way with newspapers and simply putting a for sale sign in the window. The best tip I know for selling old car is make sure it is clean, spend a little time washing and vacuuming it before anyone looks at it. If you have maintenance records have them available for prospective buyers to look at.

If the car has been setting for a long time you may want to drive it a little ways to make sure everything is working properly. At least put a battery charger on it so the battery is built up good. There is nothing more frustrating than going to look at a used car for sale by owner and the battery is dead. Be willing to tell the buyer about your car, Try to think of the good qualities about your car.

Some ideals of where to list your car are craigslist, thrifty nickel paper and online, eBay, Local newspapers, and do a search for cars for sale and you will find many other places you can list your car. Selling old car will be much easier if you will create a well thought out add before you start listing it. Include things like mileage, color, body style, accident report, price, accessories like stereo, leather seats, custom paint or wheels, tire condition, and anything else that stands out about the car. Good luck selling old car.

Lemon Laws for Used Cars:
You may be able to file for a lemon if you receive an express written warranty with the vehicle. An express written warranty can be the balance of a manufacturer’s warranty, a separate limited warranty given by the dealer, or an extended warranty or service contract you purchase from the dealer at the time you purchase the vehicle. If you have such a warranty, the lemon laws for used cars apply.
In addition, some states have consumer protection statutes which prohibit deceptive acts in the sale of used cars. These laws generally require that a car dealer respond to every question honestly. To the extent that you purchased a used vehicle as a result of a false representation, you may have a claim against the dealership. Additionally, some states require that a dealership disclose certain facts about used cars, such as whether it was a rental, has been salvaged or used as a demonstrator even if the purchaser doesn’t ask.
It is important to ask questions about the car you are looking at! In most cases the dealer will not provide information if you do not ask. Check the state you live in for lemon laws for used cars, each state is different.

Transmission flushing: Here is something to think about, as a mechanic for several years including changing and servicing transmissions, I have to say the flushing procedure comes up short, of a real service for your transmission. I have looked at several articles on flushing the transmission on used cars and it seems they all agree that it is not a good ideal especially on high mileage cars. The flushing procedure uses pressure to force a cleaning solvent back threw the transmission and this is supposed to clean it.
The first problem I have with the procedure of flushing the transmission on a used car is they do not drop the transmission pan and change the filter. The filter is designed to catch particles and keep them out of the valves of the transmission and that keeps everything working as it should. You should keep in mind as you drive your car transmission parts do ware out slowly so there will be small particles in the filter. The second problem I see is forcing fluids backwards threw the valve body this could cause particles to get lodged in a valve, causing an expensive transmission rebuild. It has been my experience that it is never a good idea to reverse the flow of fluids on a piece of hydraulic equipment that was designed to flow one way. The automatic transmission in a car is no exception because it works of hydraulic pressure.

If your used car needs the transmission serviced find a shop that will drop the pan and change the filter. It is best if they can drain all the fluid out of the torque converter as well. Many of the newer cars do not have drain plugs on the torque converter so this may not be something that can be done. Some shops may have the equipment and knowledge of how to add a drain plug, so check with them about doing so. If you cannot drain the torque converter you may drive it 5 or 10 thousand miles and change it again if it seemed to be real dirty. I have had great success without having to change it twice.
The important thing to keep in mind is keep the fluids changed. It does not matter what type of equipment it is, whether an engine, transmission, car, truck, tractor, etc. You will have a lot less trouble and much more productivity from it, if you keep it serviced. All the years of working on cars and equipment one thing has always been true, When I see it for the first time I know if it is going to be a money maker for me and a loss for the owner just by how it has been maintained. If it is a car or any equipment that has only been serviced when it doesn’t run anymore, you can count on it having to have a lot of work as it gets older, and I would not trust that car across town. On the other hand I have seen cars 20 or 30 years old that were well maintained and I would trust them the same as a new one.

Since me and my wife got out of the pilot car and trucking buisiness we have a lot of equipment we no longer need. I will be listing it here as I go threw everything and get pictures of it. If you are interested you can call 325 232 8836 or email mcentirejerry@gmail.com

1/2 grade 70 chain 10′  $25.00

1/2 grade 70 ratchet binder $25.00

Headache rack for 2008 F250 with oversize load sign $125

Headache rack for ford ranger with oversize load sign $125

code 3 mx7000 lightbar with arrow stick control$200

2 showme illuminator $400 set

11 triangle sets $10 ea.

cones, flags, flares, hard hats, vest, stop signs etc.

500 gallon propane tank with wet line $500

I just wanted to say thanks for all your support and comments. I am sorry I can’t comment on each one due to the large number I am recieving.used cars for sale by owner seems to be a growing trend. Thank you for your time. I have started using a spam program and it seems it is putting 90% of the comments into my spam folder. If you are a spammer you most likely will not be added to my site.

If there is a subject on cars you would like to know about make a comment or email me at jwwebsites@gmail.com and I will try to get it answered for you.

cars for sale by owner Is a term more and more people are getting familiar with because of the unscrupulous salesmen at most used car lots these days. I have recently bought another used car myself and started by looking at the ads of cars for sale by owner and did not find what I was looking for. What I did find was the ads of people that gave no thought to how to place an add to sell their used car. Most of them had very poor pictures that you could not tell anything about car and the ones that did have good pictures were of 1 view. And I saw several adds that I could not tell anything about the car threw the add text. And then there was the one I actually called about and the guy acted like it was some top secret mission to get to look at the vehicle. I had one that was all threw email and took days to get any information at all, again really secretly that made it very difficult to look at the vehicle and decide if that was what I wanted. I finally went to used car lots and had one the person that was there was only filling in and had no desire to sell a car and no knowledge of the used cars that was there this lot would have been better of just closing for the day. At this one I pulled up and went in to ask about one of the cars and had to find someone out in the shop and they were setting there smoking and talking and I stood there for at least 1 minute before they finally asked what I wanted and then came across with an attitude that said you are bothering me go away so that’s what I done. The one I finally bought from had the grandson of the owner for my salesman and he was a young kid early 20s that showed me a used car that looked good until the engine was started and had a very loud knock and me being of a mechanical background realized this meant an engine soon and pointed this out and he started trying to push the vehicle on me and saying there was nothing wrong with it.

What I would like for you as the reader to get from all this is whether you are buying or sell used car take some time to do it the correct way. When you list your used cars for sale by owner take several pictures from all angles and pick out the best ones that let your potential buyer see what condition your car is in. Take a few minutes to write an add that describes your car listing its features. Is it a one owner or do you even know how many people have owned it? This can be important because the more people own and drive old cars for sale the more abuse because everyone does things differently. How about service records do you keep track of services and repairs this can make a difference. The best rule of thumb is think about what you would like to see in an add and try to create one that makes you want to buy the used car yourself. If you deal with a salesman don’t allow them to push you into anything. If you hear something that doesn’t sound write then it’s probably not rite get someone that knows cars to look at it and don’t just take the sales persons word that it’s not a problem. Unfortunately most of them don’t care if you get stranded in the car they just sold you, all you are is money in their bank account. Even if it breaks down on you they still get their money especially on cars with no warranty even if it does have a warranty they will play the odds that there want be a problem until the warranty expires, just like going to a casino except they have more control of the outcome. So go out have fun get a new cars for sale by owner or sell yours buy from a car lot but don’t give control to someone else stay firm in what you want and when it’s all done you will sleep better because you got what you wanted not some crap that a salesperson needed to get rid of, used cars can be found in many places not just used car lots.

Do you have usedcarsforsale?

If so you have probably been trying to figure out the best way to sell your car. There are many possibilities available to you these days from printed papers to the internet. Hopefully by the time you have finished this article you will be able to make a more informed decision as to how and where to sell your car.

We will start with getting your usedcarsforsale information together. Here are a few things you will need to know. If you get all this together ahead of time it will go a lot smoother for you.

• Currant mileage
• What engine does it have 4, 6, 8, cylinder (4.9litre 352 etc.)
• Is it fuel injected or carburetor, turbo charged etc.
• Transmission automatic or standard
• Tire size and condition, premium wheels
• Does it have a tow package?
• Stereo compact disk, tape, am/fm, mp3 etc.
• Warrant papers for the car or any parts you have installed
• Car title and registration
• Do you have maintenance records (any parts replaced services done etc.)
• Owners and operators manuals
• Spare tire and tire tools (jack, lug wrench, jack handle)
• Most places ask for the VIN this is the vehicle identification number and can be found on the dash drivers side looking through the window from the outside, on the drivers’ side door post or door, On paperwork like insurance, bill of sale, and other papers where you bought the car.’ It is a good idea to verify the papers with whats’ on the car.
• Spare car keys
• Car pictures

If all this is together we are ready to get your usedcarsforsale out to the world. If you are I an area where people can see your car a simple for sale sign in the car could do the job. Other possibilities are listing on the internet in places like EBay, Craigslist, Pennysaver, Thriftynickel, or your local paper. With the exception of eBay you can put online ads in these for free. EBay is a good tool most of the time and they now have it set so that if it does not sale it will not cost you, just make sure you look for this option if you do not want to pay a fee if does not sell. There are many websites that offer FSBO for sale by owner listings. Since I have not personally dealt with any of them I want list them but you can Google used cars for sale by owner, cars for sale by owner, fsbo, usedcarsforsale, or some other configuration of words and find a place to add your listing.

You can always go old style and list in the printed papers and magazines. If your car is a classic or something special like that I would suggest this route. Many people that have cars for hobbies or are looking to buy a car for a hobby by the specialty magazines like truck trader, auto trader, the mustang trader, etc. Chances are there is a trader magazine for whatever your vehicle is. Most of these you can do online and check that you also want it in print. Of course there is your local news and thrifty papers you can advertise in and again this can probably be done online. In the world we live in today just about anything you want can be done online.

The key here is getting all your information together so you do not have to run back and forth to get more info. Find the advertising means that fits your budget and needs and place the add. Be ready for emails and phone calls from prospective buyers asking more questions. Always answer questions as truthfully as possible because you do not want someone to come and look at your car only to find out you’re a liar and drive off, this is a waste of the time for both of you. Good luck on selling your car.

No longer for sale. I have decided to continue working on it and use it around the farm. An update on my old work truck. A friend of mine was going to buy it but do to a mission trip to Africa that took more money than he expected could not afford it and God told me to just give it to him. He has begun restoring it and has made some progress I will try to get pictures and post on the progress of it. As for me it is exciting to watch as this old truck comes back to life because it has always been dependable and as unique as myself.

Here is a great work truck or one that could compete in the of road arena. This truck has a big block 352 with a granny 4 speed transmission. It comes with 2 sets of wheels 4 steel and 4 aluminum. The 35×12.50×15 tires have some tread but not in great shape. It is a short step side bed that needs some work. It has a 8′ channel iron front bumper with a 8  thousad pound winch mounted to it. there is a heavy trailer hitch on the back. The overall body is in fair condition It does have a few rust spots but the truck has allways been dependable. If your looking for something that will get you threw some rough spots, up a mountain or just sling a little mud this will do it. I have seen this truck pull loads that a 25 hp tractor couldn’t move; It has all the power you should need. So whether you want something to pull your friend out with when there stuck or get into rock climbing this is your truck. Or maybe a project truck to repair the body and have something that not only has the power and abillity to go where you want to go but do it in style.

12/17/2010

As of  this update the bed has been removed and the frame being sanded and painted. For me It is exciting to hear of the progress as this old truck goes from being a rusty old farm mud truck to one of beauty and usefulness. Check back for updates, I am sure it will take awhile to get this completed.

When looking at a used car for sale by owner or even a car lot make sure you do a good inspection. The following list should help you.

Body

• Are seams where doors and fenders meet even and straight?
• Are seams where the hood and trunk meet the fenders even and straight?
• Does a magnet cling to all steel body panels? (Be sure to test fenders, the lower corners of doors, and rocker panels—the areas below doors. If a magnet doesn’t cling, suspect body filler was used to repair rust or accident damage.)
• Are all body panels the same color?
• Has the car been recently repainted? (Look for signs of spray paint on moldings; also check the edges of the doors, hood, and trunk to be sure they are all the same color. Fresh paint may cover rust that will continue to rust out the area.)

Tires

• Do all tires have the same amount of tread?
• Are all tires the same size? (Check tire size markings on tire sidewalls.)
• Are all tires the same brand?
• Is there a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench? If the used car has locking hubcaps, is there a key to remove them?
• Is the spare tire inflated (Press hard against the side with your thumb; the tire should be firm.)

Suspension

• Does the vehicle sit level?
• Bounce each corner of the vehicle. Do all corners respond the same? (Corners should only bounce once or twice before stopping.)
• Do you hear a creaking noise when bouncing the vehicle’s corners?

Frame

• Examine inside trunk, wheel wells, and under hood. Do you see areas that look like they have been crumpled and straightened maybe frame cut and welded carpet or something else covering it?
• Look underneath each side of the vehicle for a row of holes in the frame just inside the vehicle’s outer edge. Do holes appear scratched or recently cleaned? (If so, suspect the frame has been straightened after a crash.)

Gas Cap and Filler Neck

• Is there a gas cap?
• Does it fit correctly? (If the cap locks, is there a key?)
• Remove the gas cap and check inside the filler neck. Is there a fuel-nozzle restrictor to prevent adding leaded fuel? (Most states require them.)

Interior

• Is upholstery in good condition? (Look for tears, stains, and burns.)
• Are the dashboard and headliner in good condition?
• Do seats adjust easily?
• Are any window cranks, door locks, handles, dash controls or similar items missing?
• Do all interior lights and dash bulbs work?
• Does carpet condition match the age of the vehicle?
• Does carpeting smell of mildew or stale water, suggesting moisture underneath (or worse, flood  damage)?
• Check under the dash at the top of the carpet. Are there stains suggesting heater core or air conditioner leakage?

Accessories

• Do all accessories, such as the heater, air conditioner, audio system, and alarm system, operate fully? Test all functions of each.

Engine Compartment

• Are there signs of oil or fluid leaks?
• Run the engine at full operating temperature. Are there abnormal smells that might be due to leaking fluids on hot engine parts?
• Are there unusual noises, such as clattering or metallic sounds, or sharp hissing, in the engine compartment when the engine is running? (Normal sound is smooth whirring of belts and fan.)
• Does anything appear to be missing? (Look for shiny or clean areas where parts may have been removed.

Under the Vehicle

• Are there fluid leaks on the underside of the engine and transmission, at axle ends, at brake line connections, or on the ground beneath the vehicle? Green fluid is usually antifreeze; reddish fluid is usually power steering or transmission fluid; dark brown or black fluid is usually oil or brake fluid.
• Are any parts loose, with the exception of exhaust parts slung from flexible rubber “donuts”?
• Does anything appear missing, such as bolts, clamps, brackets or cables?
• Are exhaust system parts rusty?
• Are there marks from scrapes, indicating the car has bottomed out on rocks or pavement?
• Examine exhaust when the car is operating at normal temperature. Do you see white or blue smoke? (Both can indicate an engine problem, especially if the smoke burns your eyes. A small amount of steam is normal, especially in cold weather.

Performance

• Engine
• Does the engine start easily?
• Does the engine stall at any time?
• Does the engine idle smoothly?
• Does the idle speed seem too slow or fast?
• Does the engine hesitate or stumble on acceleration?
• Does the engine run smoothly during operation?
• Does the engine seem to lack power?
• If the vehicle has cruise control, do all features work correctly?
• Does engine or other system warning lights appear?
• Does the engine diesel (continue running) when shut off?

Transmission and Clutch

• Is automatic shifting smooth?
• On a manual-shift vehicle, is take-off smooth, without grabbing or jerking?
• On a manual-shift vehicle, accelerate hard in a higher gear (third or fourth) or while going uphill. If engine rpm’s rise without a corresponding increase in vehicle speed, the clutch could be slipping. It may need to be adjusted or replaced.
• On a manual-shift vehicle, try shifting to a lower gear when going slowly. Does the transmission shift easily, without grinding?

4-Wheel Drive

• Engage 4-wheel drive only on soft surfaces unless the owner’s manual specifically says the feature can be used on hard-surfaced roads. Test-drive the vehicle in forward and reverse with 4-wheel drive engaged. Does the vehicle shift smoothly in both directions?
• Turn tight corners to the right and left. Are there clunking sounds or other noises?
• Do the wheels bind or pull, whether turning or going straight? ( clunking noises could mean bad   u-joints )

Brakes

• Apply the brakes several times at different speeds. Also try a sudden stop. Does the vehicle pull to one side when brakes are applied?
• Do brakes stop the vehicle adequately?
• If the vehicle has antilock brakes (ABS), try stopping suddenly. Do wheels lock? (A pulsing brake pedal is normal.)
• Does the parking brake hold firmly and release completely?

Steering

• Does the vehicle pull to one side during normal operation?
• Is steering difficult at any speed?
• Turn sharply in both directions. Do you hear clunking or other noises, or feel rubbing or binding?
• Does the vehicle shake or vibrate while moving? (Take the vehicle up to freeway speed for this test.)
• Is the steering wheel centered when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead?

Other Concerns

• Is there evidence of flood damage? By law, this information should be on the title. Signs of upholstery and carpet stains, odor, and rust in normally dry areas such as beneath the dashboard and inside the glove compartment, powdery green or white residue inside lowest electrical connectors.
• Is the owners’ manual in the vehicle? How about the operating instructions for any accessories, and any warranty information that still applies to items like tires and exhaust?
• Are previous repair and service records available? (Complete records are a sign that the owner has taken good care of the used car.)

Does seller have clear title to vehicle?

There are several possibilities available when it comes time to list your used car for sale by owner. You have the internet with sites like Craigslist, eBay, numerous consignment sites and auction sites. Just about all newspapers have an online classified section so check your local paper, papers like thrifty nickel, Pennysaver, American classifieds to name a few have papers in just about every city. Most of these have free online ads and for printed ads they are pretty cheap. There is a growing number of for sale by owner web sites that you can list with.

As with any online dealing you have to do some checking to determine if they are legitimate or just out to get your money. A few things to keep in mind; You will have much better success if you do a good job detailing your car so that it is showing all that it has to offer, Take several pictures even if you just need 2 or 3 for getting the add put up, you can offer additional pictures to anyone interested in your car.

Speaking for myself I do not get serious about buying something unless I can see enough pictures to clearly show what it is and if there is any obvious damage. Write a good article about your car go into some detail on how dependable it has been, list the features any additional items it may have (premium stereo, wheels, seats, etc.) For pickups does it have a tow package, fifth wheel, gooseneck hitch etc.? Try to be descriptive without writing a book most people want to find out about how great your car is without having to spend a lot of time reading a book about it. Good luck selling your car.

Used Car Inspection

Preliminaries
Wear old clothes. Bring clean paper towels and a container of hand-cleaner for cleaning up after performing the inspection. It is very difficult to do anything to a used car without getting some dirt and grease on you.

Other items to bring:

• Flashlight
• Small magnet
• Notepad
• Pen or pencil
• Copy of this checklist
• Copy of vehicle history report such as carfax vehicle history report. The cost of the report could save you thousands.

Tips

If you are meeting a private party to look at a vehicle, try to get there 15 to 20 minutes early. You may discover the used car being prepared for your visit (trying to hide problems).

Try to get the seller to set a time for you to see the vehicle when it has been sitting overnight. You want to see how it will start first thing in the morning this can tell you if the battery or fuel system is having a problem.

Always try to inspect used cars during the day, when you can see better than at night.

Don’t be afraid to ask the seller to help or show you something if the seller doesn’t want to help you, you want to find a different used car because they may be trying to hide something. Take time to perform an inspection to your satisfaction. Don’t be in a hurry or let yourself be rushed.

At some point during a test drive, try to drive at 20 to 30 mph beside a solid center median or beside a solid side wall. Open the window halfway and listen for sounds of the vehicle echoed by the hard surface. You should only hear the sound of the tires on the roadway other sounds could mean problems.

For practice, inspect a car you already own. Doing so will familiarize you with the process and also provide a reference point for cars you are considering for purchase.